Inclined shelf vending apparatus having product jostling structure

ABSTRACT

Inclined shelf product vending apparatus has rail attachments slipped loosely over and extending along alternate spaced-apart sidewalls that define downwardly sloping product dispensing channels of the shelf. Each rail has a pair of lateral lifting portions projecting into a pair of adjacent channels which are disposed to underlie one side of the product rows within such channels, and each rail is operably coupled at its lowermost end with the dispensing mechanism for the corresponding channel to raise and abruptly drop the rail associated therewith during each actuation of the mechanism, thereby jostling the products of the channel to overcome any tendency for the products to stick in the channel rather than gravitate to the dispensing mechanism. The rails are detachably secured to their respective sidewalls adjacent the uppermost ends of the rails and loosely overlie the dispensing mechanisms at their lowermost ends to permit rapid installation and removal of the rails.

United States Patent Hunter [45] July 15, 1975 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. "lollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey &

STRUCTURE Williams [75] Inventor: Sgarley Ward Hunter, Raytown, 57] ABSTRACT Inclined shelf product vending apparatus has rail at- Asslgneei The Vendo Company Kansas cltyi tachments slipped loosely over and extending along alternate spaced-apart sidewalls that define down-' [22] Filed; May 28 1974 wardly sloping product dispensing channels of the shelf. Each rail has a pair of lateral lifting portions PP 473,694 projecting into a pair of adjacent channels which are disposed to underlie one side of the product rows 52 us. Cl. 221/200 Within Such Channels, and each tail is Operably C011- 51 int. Cl B65h 3/62 P at its lowermost end with the dispensing mecha- [58] Field of Search .0 221/200, 251, 201, 202, Him for the corresponding Channel to raise and 221/203 204 205 206, 277, 272 274 abruptly drop the rail associated therewith during each actuation of the mechanism, thereby jostling the 56] References Cited products of the channel to overcome any tendency for the products to stick in the channel rather than gravi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tate to the dispensing mechanism. The rails are degg f 5 tachably secured to their respective sidewalls adjacent U er the uppermost ends of the rails and loosely overlie the $248,008 4/1966 Meier ohan 22l/2Q5 dispensing mechanisms at their lowermost ends to p mit rapid installation and removal of the rails.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 12 I2 26 26 46 8 7 26 A A0 2 4 26 42 I l 40 r I' Q r 28 l !6 36 25 i 86 56 I8 86 5 l8 INCLINEI) SHELF VENDING APPARATUS HAVING PRODUCT JOSTLING STRUCTURE This invention relates toinclined shelf product vending apparatus of the type wherein rows of products are fed by gravity, either alone or with the assistance of gentle spring biasing, toward lower dispensing mechanisms at the discharge ends of product-receiving channels of the shelf. One example of apparatus of this type is disclosed andclaimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,070, issued to Wilbert O. ONeal on June 5, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Certain products, particularly milk cartons, have a tendency to occasionally stick to the floor or sidewalls of their dispensing channel between vend cycles such that following the vend of the leading product in the channel, the succeeding products may not slide downwardly to fill the void left by the vended product. Accordingly, when the customer actuates the dispensing mechanism to complete the next vend, no products may be in position to fill the vend demand.

Therefore, it is one important object of the instant invention to'provide means by which the products behind the leading product in an inclined shelf vending apparatus are jostled during each vend of the leading A further important object of the invention is to provide such means in the nature of add-on structure that can be readily installed on existing inclined shelf apparatus without specially adapting such existing apparatus to receive the add-on structure.

Moreover, it is an important object of this invention to provide structure that is highly flexible in its use so that the attendant of the vending apparatus can selectively attach or detach the structure as desired, depending upon whether or not the particular products to be vended tend to stick within their dispensing channels.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide add-on jostling structure as aforesaid which is adapted to be actuated during each vend cycle by the dispensing mechanism associated therewith, but which does not produce an undue load on such dispensing mechanism to substantially decrease the useful life thereof.

A further important object of this invention is the provision ofjostling structure as above set forth which, while agitating the products of a dispensing channel sufficiently to overcome tendencies for the same to stick within their channels, does not so aggressively agitate and substantially displace the products that they override blocking means associated with the dispensing mechanism that prevents jackpotting of the vending apparatus. A

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view through inclined shelf vending apparatus employing product jostling structure in accordance with the principles of. the present invention, the apparatus being illustrated in a standby condition and loaded with a series of products to bedispensed;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing the apparatus in a vend condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view across the lower front of the apparatus with dispensing mechanism partially removed to reveal the manner in which products to be jostled are lifted during a vend cycle;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the apparatuswith products removed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the rear terminus of a jostling rail illustrating the manner in which it is pivotally and detachably hooked to the rear of a sidewall associated therewith; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of the rear of the rail and sidewall of FIG. 5.

The product vending apparatus of the present invention includes a downwardly inclined shelf 10 that is divided into a plurality of side-by-side, downwardly sloping, elongated product channels 12 by a number of laterally spaced-apart side-walls l4 rising upwardly from the floor 16 of shelf 10. Each channel 12 is provided at the lowermost discharge end thereof with its own dispensing mechanism, indicated broadly by the numeral 18, for successively dispensing a row of products 20 from the channel 12. It is to be understood that the mechanisms 18 do not all operate at the same time during each vend cycle, but instead, only a single mechanism 18 is actuated, and preferably, the mechanisms 18 are actuated in succession so that during one vend, a product is dispensed from one of the channels 12, while in the next vend, a product is dispensed from the next adjacent channel 12 and so forth, in order that the supply of products contained by shelf 10 is depleted evenly from the channels 12. I

Each mechanism 18 has a gate 22 pivoted at 24 to the discharge end of shelf 10 for swinging movement between a product-retaining position illustrated in FIG. 1, and a product-releasing position illustrated in FIG. 2. The gate 22 extends across the front of its channel 12 and is shifted between its alternate positions by a pair of plate-like actuating arms 26 disposed on opposite sides of the channel 12 and interconnected by a retaining yoke 28. The forwardmost and lowermost end of one of the arms 26 has a laterally projecting pin 30 that extends into an internal cam area 32 of the gate 22 in I order to swing gate 22 between its alternate positions when the arms 26 are rocked about a common rear pivot 34 by an actuating cam 36. A spring 38, interconnecting the lower rear end. of at least one of the arms 26 with anchor structure on shelf 10, yieldably biases the arms 26 into the standby condition of FIG. 1 and abruptly returns arms 26 to this condition once the cam 36 has been driven clockwise past the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lowermost leading product 20a is retained against release by gate 22 when mechanism 18 is in its standby condition, but upon actuation of cam 36 to rotate the latter clockwise, the yoke member 28 is raised while gate 22 is rocked forwardly, thereby tipping forwardly the leading product 20a and releasing the same from its channel 12. While the leading product 20a is retained by gate 22 in its 'standbycondition, the succeeding products 20 are, of

3 vancement of the succeeding products 20. After the arms 26 have been returned by spring 38 to their standby positions of FIG. l ,-the=succeeding products are free to-slide downwardly toward gate 22 to fill. the

space left by the dispensed'leading product 20a. v

Alternate sidewalls 14 .may be provided with jostling railstructure 40 to assurethatsucceeding products are advanced following each vend of the leading product in the row. Each rail 40 is. generally transversely U- '2 shaped, as' illustrated best in FIG. 6, having an inverted rbight portion 42 that is looped loosely over and embraces the sidewall 14 upon which it is mounted. Each -r'ail 40 extends substantially the full length of channels 12 having an uppermost rear end that is provided with a hook 44 loosely engaging the rearmost end of the associated sidewall 14. Hook 44 serves not only to de tachably mount each rail 40 on its sidewall 14, but also to provide: a degree of pivoting action to the rail 40 'about a. generally horizontal axis extending through hook 44 transversely to the sidewall 14. A pair of liftingportions 46 extend laterally in opposite directions from bight portion 42 adjacent the base of the latter into adjacent channels 12 disposed on opposite sides oftheir common sidewall 14. The lifting portions 46 extend longitudinally the fulllength of rail 40 and extend laterally a sufficient distance to underlie "the proximal side edges of products 20 disposed within the two-channels 12 on opposite sides of rail 40. In addition the lifting portions 46 overlie and rest loosely upon the members 28 in the two channels 12 so that 'rail 40 will be operated by one or the other of the "m-echanisms l8when the same are actuated. The bight portion 42 of each rail 40 is terminated rearwardly of t'he forwardmost'eiid ofthe rail 40 (shown best in FIG. 4) in order to'cle-arjuxtaposed arms 26 during actua- (tion ofthe dispeiising mechanisms 18.

' Ea'ch;. time.a dispensing mechanism 18 is actuated, its

member;,28 raises the front end of the rail 40 associated with the actuated mechanism 18, and this action lifts one side edge of the products behind leading product 20a to tip such products laterally of the channel 12 as shown in FIG. 3 (wherein the centermost channel 12 is -illustrated;asthe one being vended). Subsequently, as soon ascam- 36 moves clockwise-beyond its position in FIG. 2, the rail 40 is abruptly dropped to .its original position of FIG. 1, causing the lifted products to be jostled sufficiently toovercome any tendencies of the same to stick within. their channel 12. Such products then slide readily down channel 12 .to place the next product 20 'in position against gate 22 for dispensing during the next actuation of mechanism'18.

' As illustrated in-FIGS. 2 and 3, while the products behind the one being dispensed are raised by the rail 40, such action does not result in the succeeding products overriding-the blocking member 28 and jackpotting the vending-machine. Even though one side edge of the first product 20 behind member 28 is disposed above the blocking member 28 when rail 40 is raised,'the opadjacent channels rl2'without malfunction of any kind. Even though, as" illustrated' in -'FI'G.'.' *3; the products of the leftmost channel 12 are raised above their blocking member 28 while the products of the centermost channel 12 are lifted during vendingof the latter, no accidental vending of the leftmost channel 12 takes place because the gate 22 thereof remains in its closed or standby position of FIG. 1. In fact, this extra jostling action imparted to the products of the next channel to be vended while vending is taking place in the preceding channel, means that the products of the next channel are even more likely to freely slide down shelf 10 when the next vend cycle is initiated.

The rails 40 add only slight additional loading to the mechanisms 18, but at the same time, where the products to be vended do not normally have a tendency to stick as they gravitate along shelf 10, such as for example, cylindrical canned products, there is no need to utilize rails 40. Thus, if a particular pair of adjacent channels 12 have previously been used for milk cartons, for example, which have a tendency to occasionally stick during gravitation toward the dispensing mechanisms 18, and it is then desired to utilize such channels 12 for non-sticking products, it is a simple matter to lift the rail 40 serving the two channels 12 upwardly and rearwardly from its sidewall 14, simultaneously disengaging hook 44. The new products can then be loaded into the selected channels 12 without the additional weight of a rail 40 being applied against the corresponding dispensing mechanisms 18.

On the other hand, where it is desired to convert a pair of adjacent channels 12 from can-dispensing to cartondispensing, for example, it is a simple matter to engage hook 44 onto the rear of the proper sidewall 14 and slip the bight 42 over such sidewall 14 so that the front end of the rail 40 overlies the two blocking members 28 of the corresponding dispensing mechanisms 18.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In product dispensing apparatus:

an inclined shelf including means defining at least one elongated, downwardly sloping channel for receiving a series of products to be dispensed,

said channel having a lowermost discharge end from which said products are successively released,

said channel-defining means including a pair of laterally spaced-apart sidewalls;

dispensing mechanism adjacent said discharge end operable to release the leading product from said channel during each actuation of said mechanism while retaining the succeeding products in the series against accidental release; and

structure operably coupled with said mechanism for jostling said succeeding products during actuation of said mechanism to prevent lodgment of products within said channel,

said structure being elongated and transversely U- shaped having an inverted bight portion looped over one of said sidewalls and a lifting portion projecting laterally from said bight portion into position for underlying products in the channel,

said mechanism being coupled with said structure for momentarily raising the structure during actuation of the mechanism. 1

2. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lifting portion is disposed to tip the products laterally of the channel.

3. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes a member shiftable into and out of a raised position blocking all but the leading product from release during actuation of the mechanism. said structure having a lowermost terminus overlying said member for actuation thereby.

4. ln product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mechanism further includes means for abruptly dropping said member from its raised position.

5. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said structure is provided with means adjacent the opposite, uppermost terminus thereof pivotally securing the structure to said one sidewall.

6. in product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pivotal securing means is adapted to detachably secure said structure to said one sidewall,

said lowermost terminus resting loosely on said member whereby tofacilitate installation and removal of said structure.

7. ln product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shelf is provided with an additional channel alongside the first-mentioned channel and having said one sidewall in common therewith, said additional channel having its own product dispensing mechanism at the lower discharge end thereof, said structure having a second lifting portion projecting laterally from said bight in a direction opposite to the first-mentioned lifting portion, said second lifting portion being disposed to underlieproducts in said additional channel for momentarily lifting the same when the mechanism of said additional channel is actuated. i I4 i l l 

1. In product dispensing apparatus: an inclined shelf including means defining at least one elongated, downwardly sloping channel for receiving a series of products to be dispensed, said channel having a lowermost discharge end from which said products are successively released, said channel-defining means including a pair of laterally spaced-apart sidewalls; dispensing mechanism adjacent said discharge end operable to release the leading product from said channel during each actuation of said mechanism while retaining the succeeding products in the series against accidental release; and structure operably coupled with said mechanism for jostling said succeeding products during actuation of said mechanism to prevent lodgment of products within said channel, said structure being elongated and transversely U-shaped having an inverted bight portion looped over one of said sidewalls and a lifting portion projecting laterally from said bight portion into position for underlying products in the channel, said mechanism being coupled with said structure for momentarily raising the structure during actuation of the mechanism.
 2. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lifting portion is disposed to tip the products laterally of the channel.
 3. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes a member shiftable into and out of a raised position blocking all but the leading product from release during actuation of the mechanism, said structure having a lowermost terminus overlying said member for actuation thereby.
 4. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mechanism further includes means for abruptly dropping said member from its raised position.
 5. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said structure is provided with means adjacent the opposite, uppermost terminus thereof pivotally securing the structure to said one sidewall.
 6. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pivotal securing means is adapted To detachably secure said structure to said one sidewall, said lowermost terminus resting loosely on said member whereby to facilitate installation and removal of said structure.
 7. In product dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shelf is provided with an additional channel alongside the first-mentioned channel and having said one sidewall in common therewith, said additional channel having its own product dispensing mechanism at the lower discharge end thereof, said structure having a second lifting portion projecting laterally from said bight in a direction opposite to the first-mentioned lifting portion, said second lifting portion being disposed to underlie products in said additional channel for momentarily lifting the same when the mechanism of said additional channel is actuated. 